Does anyone have solid proff that Gino Gomez is still alive or are you just taking his owners word for it? surley if he was such a great dog and still living we would be seeing him on occation at the big shows not to show but just as a presence!!!!!!!!!

One would think that the president of IDC would do just that, in the face of all the speculation. I have spoken to a breeder here [D Matson] who told me he was at Pezzano's residence I believe 3 years ago, [not last two IDC shows, but one before] and was presented to a dog that was identified to him as Gino. The following year at IDC [2009] show he was told, in front of others, by Dr. Pezzano that Gino was alive and just a bit stiff in the hip. I have asked him, Matson, twice directly and was told the same thing twice. I met this man's pro handler earlier this year at a show here, with a Quilliam daughter, said she was with him in Europe in 08 and again verified that story. I believe what they report as they are both reputable people, but how to determine that it was the Gino presented, who knows. This is the closest info I have been able to generate.

I again ask for simple verification from the owner/breeder of the status of this important dog. How can this be asking too much??

I have 6 dog's here now unless you know me and my dog's on a personal level I could pass them off as any dog and thats probably what happened, I suspect Gino has been gone a while!! other wise we would have seen him, if I owned such a "great dog" I would have him on show occationally to prove to the world that he is alive and in a good state of health, its the same with all these "great dog's" that are "fit healthy and still alive" you never see them why because there dead or so ill they darent have them on show

Greetings Baskal, I hope you are well!
One friend of mine raised the question to me as to why Gino did not appear for a second Korung to get "for life" status. Suggesting that something may have occurred around that time, and paralleling the ages of some of his littermates passing. Both of Doug's litters are older than 7 years now, I believe, putting that in that time range. And beautiful dogs I might add. Yes he saw the dog then and should likely have been able to tell if it was Gino he saw more recently. Matson is a sharp person.

And I agree with Biclaire's points as well. Leaving us still with speculation.

The bigger issue than the dog is the question of credibility of leaders of our parent organizations, who are supposed to be stewards of the breed. Both can be determined by the simple action of producing the animal or even a direct statement by the owner, to me would still be something, because I want to believe that honor and ethics exist.